Tag: Princes’ Islands Tranquil Retreat near Constantinople

Moda Burnu, the protruding promontory nestled between two bays, is a favored residence for the British colony in Constantinople. Offering a breathtaking panorama of Stambul, the Sea of Marmara, and the Islands, it serves as a tranquil escape.

Discovering the Princes’ Islands

The Princes’ Islands, known as Kizil Adalar by the Turks, comprise nine isles, but only four are inhabited and accessible by steamers—Proti, Antigoni, Halki, and Prinkipo Chalcedon.

Situated approximately 12 miles south of Constantinople, in the Sea of Marmara, these islands were formerly called Bemonesi and Papadonesi by the Byzantines. Historically, they functioned as places of exile for deposed emperors and troublesome princes. The Turks bestowed the name Kizil Adalar, referencing the islands’ red soil.

Exploring the Inhabited Islands

Proti, the closest to Constantinople, once hosted the British fleet under Vice-Admiral Duckw